Michael Harmon: Be thankful

Times are hard; people are struggling and as one of my teachers used to tell me, “Cheer up, things will get worse before they get better.”

The context of that statement came prior to taking a test in school, and the teacher was right. Things did get worse for me, but I survived.

The truth of the matter is that times are hard and people are struggling, yet through all the pain and sorrow is a silver lining. Being thankful!

What does that consist of?

First, count your blessings, not your sorrows. Two men once went to Africa to sell shoes. The first man called home, dejected and discouraged because as he told his boss, the situation was hopeless because no one there wore shoes. The second man also traveled to Africa and upon his arrival, he too, called his boss and said, “The opportunities are limitless because no one here wears shoes!”

The point is to count your blessings, not your sorrows.

Second, be thankful for what you have. Do you have your health? Do you have food for the day? Do you have a roof over your head? By the world’s standards you are rich!

Finally, attitude is gratitude of thanks. Paul writes, “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Begin every day in your mind that regardless of the circumstances, obstacles and pains that we all face, we will be thankful for the day and life itself.